MATCH REPORT

With the season winding down, Long Sutton welcomed local neighbours Alford to Peele for the final home game of the season. Looking to bounce back from last week's defeat Sutton welcomed back skipper Leanne Woodhead with Louise Billingham also having a first start of the season having retuned from a sabbatical. The weather was set fair and the game got underway. Long Sutton feeling no effects from last week started to play some lovely hockey all be it at a slow pace. Clearly there was more gas in the tank but the ladies were doing enough to keep pressure on and stroll through the game. However as the first half continued Alford got a foot in the game and gained a penalty corner from which they took the lead with a lovely full bodied strike from the top of the D that sped past keeper Lorraine Wallis's left had side to rattle the base board. Alford got a bit more momentum but Tanya White, Lisa Baker, Jo Bland and Rachael Gadsden were keeping things tight at the back for Sutton. Another short corner from Alford this time saw Wallis make a crucial stop with her right pad to keep the score at 0-1. As the half continued Long Sutton upped the pace and got their own penalty corner which following a great strike by skipper Leanne Woodhead saw the ball rebound to Charlie Leuty who made no mistake and fired into the bottom left of the goal for the equaliser. Having suffered a green card for chat before the Long Sutton equaliser, Alford were reduced to 10 again on the stroke of half time for a dangerous stick tackle on Charlie Leuty. As the second half began Long Sutton were trying to make the numerical advantage work and upped their pace again. (The strong words from skipper at half time, probably still ringing their ears). Leuty back on the field and fellow central midfielder Leah Goodley were pressing hard and the twins Connie and Emmie Gittings along with Lou Southgate were excelling in the wide areas as Long Sutton took control of the game. Alford were reduced to playing the long ball through the middle but player of the match Tanya White seemed to have all things covered. It wasn't long before the home side took the lead when from another penalty corner for a deliberate foot the ball arrived at the top of the D where a deft drag flick from skipper Woodhead found the back of the net via the defenders raised stick. Fully deserved Sutton continued to press to put the game to bed with Connie Gittings making some excellent runs in particular to assist the front two of Lyn Tancred and Woodhead. However from being seemingly in control a quick break from Alford down the right and a subsequent cross found unmarked players at the far post and Alford coolly finished to make the score 2-2. Wallis was then called into action to make crucial saves as Alford found a little momentum. The game continued to ebb and flow until 10 minutes from time. Another penalty corner for Long Sutton was again sent to skipper Woodhead, but this time the ball found its way to the left to Tancred who beautifully slotted home across the keeper to the far post to put the home side once again in the lead. This was to be the final goal in a good game and gave Sutton the opportunities to finish the season on a high. Other results went in Sutton's favour which keeps things interesting for the final week of the season. Well final week for everyone except Newmarket and Long Sutton who meet on the 1.4.17 to finish the season off. Should Long Sutton win next week away at Bourne Deeping and Newmarket beat Cambridge City 3rds then that final showdown between Newmarket and Long Sutton will determine the second promotion slot. So the dream continues and we move on to next week.